CLEANING AUTO PARTS

Arrange drip pans, drying racks, and drain boards so the fluids are directed into a holding tank. Recycle used solutions through a licensed hazardous waste hauler.

Dispose of waste properly

Recycle oil, oil filters, and antifreeze. Never mix hazardous wastes, and label all hazardous materials clearly. Use a licensed hazardous waste vendor or self-haul to the Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Station.

HAZARDOUS FLUIDS

BRAKE FLUID

Because brake fluid is not crude-based, it shouldn't be added to used oil. Due to toxicity, brake fluid is typically hazardous. It also becomes hazardous when contaminated with chlorinated solvents from spray can brake cleaner.

PARTS WASHER (SOLVENTS)

Used parts washer solvents often become dangerous waste. The solvent itself can often be recycled but likely must be managed as dangerous waste.

SPENT ANTIFREEZE

Antifreeze may contain a toxic substance called ethylene glycol. Drain spent antifreeze from radiators and heater cores promptly to prevent spills. If spent antifreeze is recycled, it does not need to be counted as a hazardous waste.

USED OIL

Do not mix oil with other waste. Your business can either hire a hazardous waste vendor, self-haul to the Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Station, or burn onsite in an appropriate furnace.

OIL FILTERS

Used oil filters can be processed to recycle both the used oil and steel remains. To drain, puncture the top of the filter, turn upside down for 24 hours into a suitable container, or crush the filter to force the oil and sludge out. Properly drained oil filters can be recycled as scrap metal.

Operate a clean, dry shop and dumpster area

Sweep, mop or vacuum instead of hosing down garage floors or outdoor work areas. Keep dumpster areas clean and the lids closed. Do not fill dumpsters with liquid waste or hose them out.

Protect Outdoor Work and Storage areas

Cover equipment, materials, and work or storage areas. All hazardous waste stored outside must be stored undercover and in secondary containment.

Shop towels

If your towels are being laundered by a vendor, they do not need to be managed and counted as a hazardous waste. If your towels are being disposed of, they are considered hazardous waste if they fail hazardous waste tests (ignitable, toxic, etc.) or have solvents on them.

Dental amalgam is the largest source of mercury received by U.S. sewage treatment plants.

Learn how your clinic can do its part to reduce mercury in the environment and be in compliance with environmental laws.

Amalgam

Amalgam waste includes scrap (or dry) amalgam, and amalgam sludge found in chair side traps and pump filters from wastewater treatment units. Amalgam-bearing wastes should be collected and properly managed as a hazardous waste, or recycled. Don't put amalgam waste into the garbage, down the drain, or mix it with biomedical waste. Teeth with amalgam fillings should be kept out of the garbage and biomedical waste bags. Dispose of them with other amalgam waste.

Biomedical Waste

Biomedical waste includes items saturated with blood or bodily fluids, tissues, and sharps. Flowable blood and other bodily fluids can be put down the drain. Items such as gloves, rubber dams, and bibs that have come in contact with blood or bodily fluids aren't considered biomedical waste. They may be put into the garbage in a plastic bag.

Cleaning solutions and disinfectants

Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, solutions from chemiclaves, and cold sterilants may be hazardous waste depending on their ingredients and concentrations. Use the entire product or neutralize it. Don't pour excess down the drain, and never into the septic system.

Fixer and Developer

Used x-ray fixer contains a large amount of silver. Collect used fixer and hire a vendor for disposal. Used x-ray developer is considered non-hazardous and can be poured down the drain after use. Unused developer, however, contains a toxic compound called hydroquinone. If silver recovery canisters are used, send to a permitted recycler.

Lead Waste

Lead is a hazardous waste. It should never be disposed of in red bags or sharps containers. Since the amount of lead in dentist foil is usually small, it can be collected for recycling. When lead aprons become unusable, they are deemed hazardous and cannot be thrown away in a dumpster.

Pharmaceuticals

Most pharmaceuticals are hazardous waste due to the large number of chemicals they contain. If legally possible, use up your medications. Don't accept samples unless you can use or return them. Dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals through a hazardous waste disposal vendor.

Veterinary clinics have similar hazardous waste streams as medical clinics and are subject to the same waste regulations.

Knowing how to properly dispose of waste generated by your practice is essential in protecting the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.

Anesthesia filters

Activated charcoal filters should be disposed of as hazardous waste; they contain high levels of halogenated organic compounds from anesthesia gases. Carbon dioxide filters are hazardous waste due to high pH levels and/or trapped anesthesia gasses, even when fully exhausted. Label these containers as hazardous waste and store them in a sealed container to avoid off-gassing into the room.

Biomedical Waste

Biomedical waste includes items saturated with blood or bodily fluids, tissues, and sharps. Flowable blood and other bodily fluids can be put down the drain. Items such as gloves, rubber dams, and bibs that have come in contact with blood or bodily fluids aren't considered biomedical waste. They may be put into the garbage in a plastic bag.

CLEANING SOLUTIONS AND DISINFECTANTS

Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, solutions from chemiclaves, and cold sterilants may be hazardous waste depending on their ingredients and concentrations. Use the entire product or neutralize it. Don't pour excess down the drain, and never into the septic system.

Cytology Stains

Cytology stains are hazardous due to flammability and toxicity. Stains must be labeled and stored properly. Used stains must be disposed of by a hazardous waste disposal company. Do not dispose of waste stains down the sink for sewer or septic systems.

Lead Foils

The lead in the foils can leach into soil and water if taken to a landfill. Collect lead foils from x-ray packets for recycling or disposal as a hazardous waste. Don't put lead in the sharps container, the red biohazard bag, or the trash.

PHARMACEUTICALS

Most pharmaceuticals are hazardous waste due to the large number of chemicals they contain. If legally possible, use up your medications. Don't accept samples unless you can use or return them. Dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals through a hazardous waste disposal vendor.

SHARPS

Put hypodermic needles, syringes with needles attached, lancets, and scalpel blades in a sharps container. Dispose of the container through a biomedical waste disposal company.